HealthInfo Canterbury
Supporting someone with borderline personality disorder
Te tautoko i tētahi me te māuiui tuakiri
There are several things you can do to help someone who has a borderline personality disorder (BPD).
- Learn about BPD and talk about it with your whānau (family) member or friend.
- Be aware that people with BPD can easily get offended and may overreact at times. Try to be patient with them and show your support by listening and being there for them.
- Support them through life changes such as moving house or getting a new job.
- Yellow Brick Road is a free service that helps people who have whānau members with a mental illness. They offer courses and education evenings.
- Supporting someone else with a mental health disorder can be stressful. Remember to have time out for yourself and look after your own wellbeing.
The websites listed on Overview of borderline personality disorder have information that might help you support your whānau member or friend.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder – Family guidelines
This 11-page document has very helpful information for whānau about how to help a whānau member who has BPD.
- BPDFamily
BPDFamily is an American website with a lot of helpful videos about supporting someone with BPD.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed May 2023.
SourcesReview key: HIBPD-503517
